Insulation standoffs and exterior insulation systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates generally to components of building surface systems, for example, suitable for covering an external surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface. The building surface standoff includes a support platform and a group of legs extending rearward from the support platform. In some embodiments, the building surface standoff includes another group of legs spaced from the first group of legs. In other embodiments, the building surface standoff includes an attachment post extending forward from the support platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to relates generally to components of building surface systems, for example, suitable for covering an external surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to an insulation standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface.

2. Technical Background

In building construction, exterior walls provide the primary barrier between the interior environment and the exterior environment. To protect the interior environment, these walls typically have a number of layers that serve various different functions. Exterior siding is often used to provide an outermost layer of the wall, which provides the wall with an aesthetically pleasing appearance and provides some protection from moisture and impact. In many instances, the siding alone does not provide sufficient thermal insulation for the wall.

Therefore, in some building surface systems, one or more layers of exterior insulation is included in the wall. Such an exterior insulation is typically relatively firm so that it can support the building surface components at the exterior surface of the wall, such as cladding. Only certain types of insulation have sufficient strength to support these building surface components. Some types of insulation are brittle and may crack or break when subjected to compressive loads. Other types of insulation may easily compress lose their insulative properties making them unsuitable for bearing compressive loads.

The inventors have determined that systems that allow for alternative exterior insulation configurations would be attractive to builders and consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface, the building surface standoff comprising:

-   -   a support platform; and     -   a first group of legs extending rearward from the support         platform, wherein each of the legs in the first group of legs is         arranged on the support platform in a first space having a         diameter of a first distance; and     -   a second group of legs extending rearward from the support         platform, wherein each of the legs in the second group of legs         is arranged on the support platform in a second space having a         diameter of the first distance, and wherein the first space is         separated from the second space by at least the first distance.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides another building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface, the building surface standoff comprising:

-   -   a support platform;     -   a plurality of legs extending rearward from the support         platform; and     -   an attachment post extending forward from the support platform,         the attachment post including a shaft and a lip extending         radially outward from the shaft and configured to hold the         attachment post in an opening of a building surface accessory.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a building surface system comprising:

-   -   a support surface;     -   a layer of insulation extending over the support surface;     -   a first building surface standoff according to the disclosure         disposed on the layer of insulation with the legs penetrating         the insulation so as to be supported by the support surface; and     -   a building surface component disposed over the layer of         insulation and supported by the support platform of the first         building surface standoff.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be evident from the disclosure herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the methods and devices of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and sizes of various elements may be distorted for clarity. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s) of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a building surface standoff according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the building surface standoff of FIG. 1A from another angle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a building surface system including the building surface standoff of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of another building surface system including the building surface standoff of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a building surface standoff according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the building surface system of FIG. 4 including a building surface component;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a building surface standoff according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a building surface standoff according to another embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the building surface standoff of FIG. 7 secured to a building surface component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, the present inventors have noted that an alternative to conventional exterior insulation configurations would be desirable.

Accordingly, one aspect of the disclosure is a building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface. The building surface standoff includes a support platform and first and second groups of legs extending rearward from the support platform. Each of the legs in the first group of legs is arranged on the support platform in a first space having a diameter of a first distance. Likewise, each of the legs in the second group of legs is arranged on the support platform in a second space having a diameter of the first distance. The first space is separated from the second space by at least the first distance.

Such a building surface standoff is shown in perspective views from different angles in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in FIG. 1A, building surface standoff 110 includes a support platform 120 including a front surface 122, a rear surface 124, a first side 126 and a second side 128. A first group of legs 140A extends rearward from support platform 120. Similarly, a second group of legs 140B also extends rearward from support platform 120. As shown in FIG. 2 , and described in more detail below, building surface standoff 110 can be positioned on a building surface with the legs extending through a layer of insulation 104 so that the support platform 120 is aligned with a front surface of insulation 104. Accordingly, support platform 120 can act as a support for a building surface component to help limit compression of the insulation when the building surface component is coupled to the underlying support surface 102.

A benefit of building surface standoff 110 is that the legs are provided over a substantial length of support platform 120 rather than clustered around a single point. Accordingly, building surface standoff 110 can provide support for a building surface component over a length of the component. In particular, the legs are provided in groups 140A, 140B along the length of support platform 120. Specifically, each of the legs in the first group of legs 140A is arranged on support platform 120 in a first space 150A having a diameter equal to a first distance 152. Likewise, each of legs in the second group of legs 140B is arranged on support platform 120 in a second space 150B that also has a diameter equal to the first distance 152. Further, the two groups of legs 140A, 140B are separated from each other along the length of support platform 120. In particular, the first space 150A containing the first group of legs 140A is separated from the second space 150B containing the second group of legs 140B by a second distance 154 that is about the same as first distance 152. This configuration allows the legs 140 to carry the support platform 120 over a distance that extends from the first group of legs 140A to the second group of legs 140B.

The space 150A in which the legs of the first group of legs 140A is shown in FIG. 1A by a dashed line, as this space is a separate structural component, but rather by the positioning of the legs of first group of legs 140A on the support platform 120. Moreover, while the space is shown as a circle, so as to define a diameter in which each of the legs is contained, the positioning of the legs is not on a circle, though in other embodiments, the legs may be oriented in a circular configuration. The position of each leg on the support platform, as described herein, is based on the location where the center of a cross-section of the leg meets the support platform.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the building surface standoff further includes at least one intermediate group of legs between the first group of legs and the second group of legs. Thus, the spacing between the first and second groups of legs should not be understood to imply that additional legs, or groups of legs, cannot be interposed between the first group of legs and the second group of legs. For example, building surface standoff 110 includes an intermediate group of legs 140C between the first group of legs 140A and the second group of legs 140B. Moreover, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff may include many groups of legs arranged along the length of the support platform.

On the other hand, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff does not include any legs between the first group of legs and the second group of legs. For example, FIG. 5 shows a building surface standoff with such a configuration. Building surface standoff 510 includes a support platform 520 and a plurality of legs 540A-540C extending from a rear surface 524 of support platform 520. The legs are clustered on support platform 520 in groups including a first group 540A, a second group 540B and a third group 540C which are arranged in a line across the support platform 520. Each of the legs in the first group 540A is arranged on support platform 520 in a first space 550A having a diameter equal to a first distance 552. Likewise, each of legs in the second group 540B is arranged on support platform 520 in a second space 550B that also has a diameter equal to the first distance 552. Further, the two groups of legs 540A, 540B are separated from each other along the length of support platform 520. In particular, the first space 550A containing the first group of legs 540A is separated from the second space 550B containing the second group of legs 540B by a second distance 554 that is substantially greater than the first distance 552. The first group of legs 540A, second group of legs 540B and third group of legs 540C collectively provide support for the entire length of support platform 520.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the groups of legs are arranged in a line along a length. For example, building surface standoff 110 shown in FIG. 1A is configured as a longitudinal element with an overall shape that is defined by support platform 120. The groups of legs 140A, 140C, 140B of building surface standoff 110 are disposed in a linear series along the length of support platform 120. Likewise, in building surface standoff 510 the support platform 520 forms part of a window trim component, as explained further below. The groups of legs 540A, 540B, 540C are disposed in a line along the length of one side of the window trim. In other embodiments, the groups of legs of the building surface standoff are arranged in another configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff has an L-shaped configuration with groups of legs arranged on both the vertical and horizontal portions of the of an L-shaped support platform. Furthermore, in some embodiments a component may include more than building surface standoff integrated in the component structure. In such a case, the groups of legs of each building surface standoff may be arranged in respective lines that are parallel or at an angle to one another.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each of the legs extends from the support platform by a depth, and wherein the depth of each leg is at least five times larger than the thickness and the width of the leg. The term depth, as used herein, refers to the distance that the leg extends from the support platform. Such a dimension may otherwise be referred to as the length of the leg, but is referred to herein as the depth so as to avoid confusion with the length of the support platform as described above. By having a depth that is substantially greater than its width or thickness, each of the legs is substantially one-dimensional. This configuration may allow the leg to penetrate through insulation rather than compressing a substantial area of the insulation.

For example, in building surface standoff 110, shown in FIG. 1A, each of the legs has the same shape and includes a balanced cross-sectional shape with a similar width and thickness. The legs all extend to a depth that is about eight times the thickness of the leg. This ratio provides each leg with a relatively narrow shape for penetrating insulation but enough thickness to provide structural support for the support platform. In other embodiments, the legs have different shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the legs have different cross-sectional shapes. Such shapes may include profiles where the cross-sectional shape of the legs are circular, oval, round, rectangular, square, triangular, T-shaped, S-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, X-shaped, O-shaped or another shape. Further, the legs may be solid or hollow. Moreover, in some embodiments, the legs all extend to the same depth, while in other embodiments, the legs extend to different depths. Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more of the legs is wider. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the legs has a plate-shaped configuration that is thin but wide. In such a configuration, despite the width of the leg, the thin dimension of the leg may allow it to penetrate through insulation.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each of the legs is tapered. For example, as shown with respect to third leg 143 of first group of legs 140A in FIG. 1A, each of the legs tapers inward from a proximal end 146 that is attached to support platform 120 to a distal end 148. The inward taper of the legs can help the legs penetrate a layer of insulation while moving the insulation aside as the legs are inserted, rather than crushing the insulation. In some embodiments, the distal end of the legs tapers to a point, as shown in FIG. 1A. The pointed distal end of the legs may allow the legs to stick into a support surface of a building wall construction. Such an engagement of the legs into the support surface may help secure the building surface standoff in place and prevent movement of the building surface standoff. In other embodiments, the distal end of the legs may include a flat surface. A flat surface at the end of the legs may increase the likelihood that the legs of the building surface standoff are inserted to a uniform depth based on when the flat surface at the distal end of the legs reaches the support surface. Still, in some embodiments, some of the legs include a pointed distal end while others include a flat end. In such a configuration, the legs with a pointed end may have a slightly greater depth (i.e., length) than the those with a flat end, such that the pointed legs engage the support surface while the legs with the flat end limit the penetration of the pointed legs into the support surface.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each group of legs is arranged in the same pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, each of the groups of legs 140A, 140B, 140C includes four legs arranged in a diamond shaped pattern. Moreover, each of the groups of legs is arranged in the same orientation with the short diagonal of the diamond from leg 141 to leg 142 extending across the width of support platform 120 and the long diagonal of the diamond from leg 143 to leg 144 extending along the length of support platform 120. Furthermore, the diamond-shaped pattern is oriented so that it symmetrical across the width of the support platform 120 and also symmetrical over the length of support platform 120.

In other embodiments, the groups of legs are arranged in other patterns. For example, in some embodiments, the groups of legs are all arranged in the same pattern, but the patterns are oriented in different directions. For example, in some embodiments, the legs are arranged in a diamond pattern, similar to the pattern of building surface standoff 110, but the rotation of the pattern varies from one group of legs to another, such that the long diagonal of the diamond is oriented across the width of the support platform in some groups and along the length of the support platform in others. In each case, such a diamond pattern is still symmetrical over both the width and length of the support platform. In other embodiments the legs are arranged in patterns that are symmetrical over only one of the length or width of the support platform. For example, in some embodiments, the legs in the groups are arranged in a triangular or pentagonal pattern oriented along the length of the support platform. Further still, in some embodiments, the groups of legs are arranged in different patterns. For example, where the first group of legs is arranged in a pattern with one shape and the second group of legs is arranged in a pattern of another shape. Groups of legs arranged in rectangular, square, other polygonal shapes or asymmetrical shapes are also possible.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each group of legs includes central legs arranged along a length of the building surface standoff. For example, as shown with respect to the first group of legs 140A, each of the groups of legs of building surface standoff 110, as shown in FIG. 1A includes two central legs 141, 142 that are aligned along the length of support platform 120 and disposed at the midpoint between the first side 126 of support platform 120 and the second side 128 of support platform 120. While the central legs 141, 142 of building surface standoff 110 are positioned at the midpoint of support platform 120, the term “central” as used herein refers to the position of the central legs 141, 142 with respect to all of the legs in the group of legs. Thus, in other embodiments, the central legs may be centrally disposed amongst the group of legs but closer to one side of the support platform than the other.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each group of legs includes lateral legs arranged on opposing sides of the central legs. For example, again as shown with respect to the first group of legs 140A, each of the groups of legs in building surface standoff 110 includes a first lateral leg 143 arranged on one side of central legs 141, 142 and a second lateral leg 144 arranged on the opposing side of central legs 141, 142. Further, first lateral leg 143 is positioned at the edge along first side 126 of support platform 120 and second lateral leg 144 is positioned at the edge along second side 128 of support platform 120. Accordingly, the lateral legs 143, 144 provide support across the width of support platform 120.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, within each group of legs, the central legs are closer to each other than the lateral legs. For example, in building surface standoff 110, the central legs 141, 142 are closer to one another than lateral legs 143, 144. This allows the central legs 141, 142 to be spaced along the length of the support platform 120 from one group of legs to the next. For example, with the central legs 141, 142 spaced closer together, the second central leg 142 of the first group of legs 140A is spaced from the first central leg 141 of the adjacent third group of legs 140C. Furthermore, the greater distance between the lateral legs 143, 144 provides broader support across the width of support platform 120.

The legs in each group of legs 540A-540C in building surface standoff 510, as shown in FIG. 5 , have a similar shape and are arranged in a similar configuration to those of building surface standoff 110. As shown, all of the legs in building surface standoff 510 have the same narrow configuration that tapers inward toward the distal end. Likewise, each of the groups of legs 540A-540C is arranged in a diamond pattern that is oriented symmetrically along the length of the standoff and across its width. Again, in other embodiments, the legs have different shapes and are arranged in other patterns.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the building surface standoff forms an elongate strip. For example, building surface standoff 110, shown in FIG. 1A extends out of the image and includes a plurality of additional groups of legs that are arranged along the same line as the first, second and third groups of legs 140A-140C. Providing the building surface standoff as a strip allows the building surface standoff to provide support for a building surface component along an extended area, such as along the edge of a doorway, as shown in FIG. 2 , or along an edge of a window, as shown in FIG. 3 . Moreover, by providing the building surface standoff as a strip with a plurality of groups of legs allows the building surface standoff to be divided into segments of a desired length to use as needed.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each group of legs is arranged on a respective section of the elongate strip. For example, As shown in FIG. 1B, building surface standoff 110 includes a first section 130A, a second section 130B and a third intermediate section 130C that are all visible in FIG. 1B. Each of the sections 130A-130C includes a corresponding group of legs 140A-140C and a corresponding portion of support platform 120. Each of the sections 130A-130C in building surface standoff 110 have the same configuration, such that building surface standoff 110 is formed as a strip of identical sections that each include a respective portion of the support platform and a respective group of legs. In other embodiments, the sections have varying configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the sections have different lengths, different shapes, and different numbers and arrangement of legs, including sections that have no legs.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each section of the strip includes a central aperture extending through support platform and configured to receive a fastener. For example, in building surface standoff 110, each section 130A-130C includes a central aperture 136 positioned at a midpoint between the first side 126 and second side 128 of support platform 120. The central aperture 136 can receive a fastener, such as a screw or nail, for securing building surface standoff 110 to a support surface. In other embodiments, the sections of the building surface standoff may include an aperture at an edge of the section, or elsewhere on the structure. By including a central aperture in each section of the building surface standoff, the building surface standoff may be divided between any of the sections and still have one or more apertures for securing the building surface standoff against a support surface. In other embodiments, only some of the sections include an aperture. For example, in some embodiments, an aperture is only included in certain sections along the length of the strip, such as at a regular interval along the length of the strip or at the ends of the strip. Further, in some embodiments, the sections do not include apertures configured to receive fasteners. In such a case, the building surface standoff may be held in place by its own engagement with the insulation or the support surface.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the support platform comprises a frame formed by a plurality of connected members. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, support platform 120 of building surface standoff 110 is formed by a plurality of connected members 132-135 that form a flat frame that holds the legs. The members that make up the portion of the support platform 120 that corresponds to each section 130A-130C of building surface standoff 110 are the same. For example, as shown with respect to the intermediate section 130C, the members include two edge members 132, a central member 133, a cross member 134 and several curved members 135. The two edge members 132 are respectively disposed on each side of support platform 120 and the central member 133 is disposed at a midpoint between the two edge members 132. The cross member 134 extends from one edge member 132 to the other edge member 132 and joins central member 133 at the center of each section. The curved members 135 extend in a circle that extends from one edge member 132 to the other edge member 132 and surrounds the central member 133 and cross member 134. The central legs 141, 142 (FIG. 1A) of each section extend from the central member 132, and the lateral legs 143, 144 (FIG. 1A) extend from area where an edge member 132, cross member 134 and curved members 135 intersect.

In other embodiments, the support frame is formed of members that are arranged in other patterns and configurations. For example, in some embodiments the frame includes only straight members. In other embodiments, the frame excludes edge members. Other configurations are also possible. Further still, in some embodiments, the support platform is formed as a continuous flat plate rather than a frame formed by separate members.

While the connected members of each section of the strip of building surface standoff 110 have the same configuration, in other embodiments, the connected members of the frame vary from one section of the strip to another. For example, in some embodiments, the connected members of the frame of the support platform vary based on differences in the leg arrangement of each section or based on the overall shape of the support platform in that section.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the support platform includes perforations between the respective sections. For example, building support standoff 110 of FIG. 1B includes perforations 138 in the support platform 120 that are located between each section of the 130A-130C of the building surface standoff. The perforations 138 allow the sections to be separated so that the strip may be divided into a desired length. The term perforation, as used herein, includes holes that extend through the support platform as well as notches or slots that reduce the material thickness in certain areas and allow the sections to be more easily separated. In other embodiments, the support platform may not include any perforations, but be dividable using a tool, such as shears or snips. In some embodiments, the standoffs include markings or indications of appropriate locations for separating sections of the standoff. Such markings may be lines (solid or dashed), arrows, text indicators (such as “cut here”), other alphanumeric indicators, or another indicator. Further, the perforations, markings, or indicators may be spaced at equidistant intervals, or at irregular intervals.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the support platform forms a rear surface of a building surface accessory. For example, building surface standoff 510, shown in FIG. 5 , is integrated into window trim 580 such that the support platform 520 is formed as part of a rear surface 582 of window trim 580. In other embodiments, the support platform of the building surface standoff forms a rear surface of another type of window accessory, such as door trim, a light fixture block, a vent outlet, a critter guard, or another component attached to the exterior side of a building surface.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the building surface standoff is formed in a single integral piece. For example, the building surface standoff strip 110, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is formed in a single integral piece made of one material. Likewise, the building surface standoff 510 of FIG. 5 is integrated into a single piece with window trim 580 formed of one material. Such an integrated piece may be molded, cast, extruded, formed by additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, or formed by another method. In other embodiments, the building surface standoff is embedded into or fused with the building surface accessory. Further still, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff is secured to the building surface accessory with an integrated fastening element, such as an attachment post. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff is secured to the building surface accessory using adhesive or using a separate fastener, such as a nail, screw or bolt.

In some embodiments, the building surface standoff is formed of a polymer material, such as PVC. In other embodiments, the building surface standoff is formed of metal, wood or ceramic material. Further, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff is formed of a combination of materials, such as a combination including at least one of a polymer material, metal, ceramic and wood. Further, in some embodiments, the building surface standoff includes an elastic material, such as rubber or an elastomer.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides another building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface. The building surface standoff includes a support platform, a plurality of legs extending rearward from the support platform, and an attachment post extending forward from the support platform. The attachment post includes a shaft and a lip extending radially outward from the shaft that is configured to hold the attachment post in an opening of a building surface accessory.

Such a building surface standoff is shown in FIG. 7 . Building surface standoff 710 includes a support platform 720 with a front surface 722 and a rear surface 724. A plurality of legs 740 extend rearward from rear surface 724 of support platform 720 while an attachment post 760 extends forward from front surface 722. Attachment post 760 includes a shaft 762 and a lip 764 extending radially outward from shaft 762. Attachment post 760 is configured to extend into an opening in a building surface accessory so that a rear side of lip 764 can engage a surface of the building surface accessory so as to hook building surface standoff 710 to the building surface accessory.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the lip is formed as a portion of a head disposed at a distal end of the shaft. For example, in building surface standoff 710, lip 764 is formed as a part of a head 766 disposed at a distal end of the post 760. The head 766 is configured to be inserted into the opening in the building surface accessory and hold the support platform 720 against the accessory. For example, FIG. 8 shows the head 766 of building surface standoff 710 inserted into a groove 784 in the rear surface 782 of a building surface accessory 780. As a result, building surface standoff 710 is secured to building surface accessory 780 and ready to be placed against a support surface covered by a layer of insulation.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, the head is formed as a cam so as to be lockable within a groove in a building surface component. For example, head 766 of attachment post 760 is configured as a cam with two opposing cam lobes so as to have an oblong shape. Accordingly, the head 766 can be slid through a groove in a building surface component by aligning the longer dimension of the cam with the groove. Once the head reaches a desired position, the building surface standoff 710 may be rotated so the cam engages with the walls of the groove. For example, either or both of the head and the groove may deform slightly as the building surface standoff 710 is rotated so that the head 766 is secured in place once rotated 90 degrees.

The legs 741-744 of building surface standoff 710 have a similar shape and are arranged in a similar configuration to those in each of the groups of legs of building surface standoff 110. As shown, all of the legs 741-744 in building surface standoff 710 have the same narrow configuration that tapers inward toward the distal end. Likewise, the legs 741-744 are arranged in a diamond pattern. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the legs have different shapes and are arranged in other patterns.

In some embodiments, one or more sections of a building surface standoff formed as a strip, similar to building surface standoff 110, includes an attachment post for securing the building surface standoff to a building surface accessory. For example, in some embodiments, each section of a building surface standoff formed with various sections includes an attachment post extending forward from the support platform.

In certain embodiments of the building surface standoff as otherwise described herein, each of the legs extends over a depth from the support platform of at least 1 inch, e.g., at least 1.5 inches. Further, in some embodiments, each of the legs extends a depth from the support platform of no more than 5 inches, e.g., no more than 4 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the legs extend over a depth from the support platform in a range from 1 inch to 5 inches, e.g., from 1.5 inches to 4 inches.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a building surface system including a support surface, a layer of insulation extending over the support surface, and a first building surface standoff according to the disclosure disposed on the layer of insulation. The legs of the first building surface standoff penetrate the insulation so as to be supported by the support surface.

Such a building surface system is shown in FIG. 2 . Building surface system 100 includes a support surface 102, such as an exterior sheathing of a wall, that is covered with a layer of insulation 104. Several building surface standoffs 110, such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, are disposed on the layer of insulation 104 with the support platform 120 disposed at the exposed surface of the insulation 104 and the legs of the standoff 110 penetrating the insulation 104 and extending to the support surface 102.

The insulation of the building surface system may have various different forms. For example, the building surface standoffs may be used with a range of different types insulation, including fibrous insulation as well as rigid foam. Certain benefits of the building surface standoffs are pronounced when the building surface system includes a compressible insulation such that the building surface standoff provides a support structure to limit compression of the insulation. For example, in some embodiments, the building surface system includes fibrous insulation with a density below 6 lbs per cubic foot (96 kg/m3). Examples of such insulation may include Glass Wool (fiberglass), mineral wool, stonewool, cotton fibers, animal wool (e.g., sheepswool), hair, cellulose fibrous wool (e.g., wood wool), or polymer wools of similar density and compressiveness. Further, in some embodiments, the insulation is formed as a low density compressible foam, such as a rubber foam or plastic foam with an open cellular structure. In some embodiments, the compressive properties of the insulation, as measured according to ASTM C165-95 Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulation, may deform by 10% at loads of 10 psi or less. For example, the insulation of the building surface system may be a “Type B” insulation that deforms by 10% at loads of 10 psi or less, according to ASTM C165-95.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show another building surface system 300 that includes a support surface 302 that is covered with a layer of insulation 304. Again, several building surface standoffs 110, such as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, are arranged with their legs extending into the layer of insulation 304 so that the support platform 120 is positioned at the front of the layer of insulation 304. Accordingly, the building surface standoffs 110 may support a building surface accessory, such as the window trim 380 shown in FIG. 4 . In addition to the elongate strips of building surface standoff 110, building surface system 300 also includes a number of spot standoffs 308 that provide support for a building surface component at particular points on the wall.

While the systems shown in FIGS. 2-4 include the building surface standoff used in connection with a wall, in other embodiments, the building surface standoff may be used in other mechanical or industrial context, such as with insulated ducting, or insulated mechanical enclosures.

In certain embodiments of the building surface system as otherwise described herein, the first building surface standoff is formed as a strip, and the strip extends along an edge of an opening in the support surface. For example, in building surface system 100, the building surface standoffs 110 extend along the edge of a door opening and are configured to support door trim. Likewise, in building surface system 300, the building surface standoffs 110 are positioned along the edges of a window opening and are configured to support window trim 380, as shown in FIG. 4 . In other embodiments, the building surface standoff is isolated from large openings in the support surface and provides support for a building surface component that is unrelated to windows or doors, such as a lighting fixture block.

FIG. 6 shows another building surface system 600 that includes a support surface 602 that is covered with a layer of insulation 604. A building surface standoff 510, as shown in FIG. 5 , is integrated into the rear surface of window trim 580, which is placed over the layer of insulation 604 such that the legs of the building surface standoff 510 penetrate the insulation so as to hold the window trim 580 over the surface of the layer of insulation.

In certain embodiments of the building surface system as otherwise described herein, the first building surface standoff includes an attachment post, and a rear surface of the building surface component includes a groove configured to receive the attachment post. For example, FIG. 8 shows a building surface component 780 with a T-shaped groove 784 in the rear surface 782. The head 766 of attachment post 760 fits into the T-shaped groove 784 so as to hold building surface standoff 710 against building surface component 780 such that it may be inserted into a layer of insulation.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the processes and devices described here without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface, the building surface standoff comprising: a support platform; and a first group of legs extending rearward from the support platform, wherein each of the legs in the first group of legs is arranged on the support platform in a first space having a diameter equal to a first distance; and a second group of legs extending rearward from the support platform, wherein each of the legs in the second group of legs is arranged on the support platform in a second space having a diameter equal to the first distance, and wherein the first space is separated from the second space by at least the first distance.
 35. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, further comprising at least one intermediate group of legs between the first group of legs and the second group of legs.
 36. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein the groups of legs are arranged in a line along a length.
 37. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein each of the legs extends from the support platform by a depth, and wherein the depth of each leg is at least five times larger than the thickness and the width of the leg.
 38. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein the pattern of each group of legs is symmetrical.
 39. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein each group of legs includes central legs arranged along a length of the building surface standoff.
 40. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein the building surface standoff is formed in a single integral piece.
 41. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein the support platform forms a rear surface of a building surface accessory.
 42. The building surface standoff according to claim 41, wherein the building accessory is a window trim, light fixture block, vent outlet, or critter guard.
 43. The building surface standoff according to claim 34, wherein the building surface standoff forms an elongate strip.
 44. The building surface standoff according to claim 43, wherein each section of the strip includes a central aperture extending through support platform and configured to receive a fastener.
 45. The building surface standoff according to claim 43, wherein the support platform comprises a frame formed by a plurality of connected members.
 46. The building surface standoff according to claim 43, further comprising an attachment post extending forward from the support platform, the attachment post including a shaft and a lip extending radially outward from the shaft and configured to hold the attachment post in an opening of a building surface accessory.
 47. A building surface standoff for positioning a building surface component at a distance from a support surface, the building surface standoff comprising: a support platform; a plurality of legs extending rearward from the support platform; and an attachment post extending forward from the support platform, the attachment post including a shaft and a lip extending radially outward from the shaft and configured to hold the attachment post in an opening of a building surface accessory.
 48. The building surface standoff according to claim 47, wherein the lip is formed as a portion of a head disposed at a distal end of the shaft.
 49. The building surface standoff according to claim 48, wherein the head is formed as a cam so as to be lockable within a groove in a building surface component.
 50. A building surface system comprising: a support surface; a layer of insulation extending over the support surface; a first building surface standoff according to claim 34 disposed on the layer of insulation with the legs penetrating the insulation so as to be supported by the support surface; and a building surface component disposed over the layer of insulation and supported by the support platform of the first building surface standoff.
 51. The building surface system according to claim 50, wherein the first building surface standoff further comprises an attachment post extending forward from the support platform, the attachment post including a shaft and a lip extending radially outward from the shaft and configured to hold the attachment post in an opening of a building surface accessory, and wherein a rear surface of the building surface component includes a groove configured to receive the attachment post.
 52. The building surface system according to claim 51, wherein attachment post includes a cam so as to be lockable in the groove of the building surface component.
 53. A building surface system comprising: a support surface; a layer of insulation extending over the support surface; a first building surface standoff according to claim 47 disposed on the layer of insulation with the legs penetrating the insulation so as to be supported by the support surface; and a building surface component disposed over the layer of insulation and supported by the support platform of the first building surface standoff 